111.  Library 
51 


AN 


HISTO^L  SKETCH 


OF  THE 

$eito00ir  SMrarjj  anir  2U|eMMtt, 


NEWPORT,  fODE  ISLAND. 


BY  DAVID  KING,  M.  D. 


PROVIDENCE: 

PROVIDENCE  PRESS  CO.,  PRINTERS  TO  THE  STATE. 

1 8 7 6. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/historicalsketch00king_0 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH 


OF  THE 

REDWOOD  LIBRARY  AND  ATHENAEUM. 

By  David  King,  M.  D. 


Among  the  causes  of  American  civilization,  the  formation  of  early 
colonial  libraries,  naturally  occupies  a prominent  place.  The  earty 
libraries  were  connected  with  the  churches,  or  with  the  universities,  or  were 
formed  by  associations  of  gentlemen  in  the  different  colonies.  Among 
the  former,  the  society  for  the  propagation  of  the  gospel  in  foreign  parts, 
undoubted^  effected  much  for  the  general  enlightenment  of  the  colonies 
b}r  the  distribution  of  books  and  tracts,  and  by  the  establishment  of 
Libraries  in  connection  with  the  principal  Episcopal  churches. 

Thus,  from  1702  to  1728  that  society  had  distributed  among  the 
inhabitants  of  the  colonies  above  eight  thousand  volumes  of  books,  and 
above  one  hundred  thousand  small  tracts  of  devotion  and  instruction. 
The  other  churches  and  the  various  colleges  b}'  their  libraries  must  have 
likewise  contributed  to  promote  the  early  intellectual  and  moral 
improvement  of  the  people.  Indeed  the  best  portion  of  English  litera- 
ture,  in  that  age,  was  presented  to  the  American  mind,  and  grasping  it, 
vi*  as  it  did  with  eagerness,  all  its  powers  were  quickened  by  the  learning 
and  genius  of  the  mother  country. 

Among  the  libraries  that  accomplished  a good  w'ork  for  American 
^civilization  was  the  Redwood  Librar}r,  founded  in  1747,  at  Newport, 
^ Rhode  Island.  Its  members  had  formed  an  association  for  literary 
^ purposes  in  1730  under  the  auspicies  of  Bishop  Berkley,  who  resided  at 
^ Newport  from  1729  to  1731.  The  association  gradual^7  aspired  to  the 
Cv'  formation  of  a library  company.  In  1747,  through  the  generosity  of 


4 


Redwood  Library. 


Abraham  Redwood,  Esq.,  there  was  placed  at  their  disposal  the  large 
sum  of  £500  sterling  for  the  purchase  of  standard  books  in  London. 
From  Henry  Collins,  Esq.,  they  received  an  appropriate  building  site 
for  their  libraiy,  then  called  Bowling  Green.  For  the  erection  of  a 
library  building  five  thousand  pounds  were  almost  immediately  sub- 
scribed by  one  hundred  gentlemen,  who  constituted  the  association. 
The  library  building,  which  was  a beautiful  specimen  of  the  Doric  order, 
was  begun  in  1748,  and  completed  in  1750,  from  a plan  furnished  by 
Peter  Harrison,  Esq.,  the  assistant  architect  of  Blenheim  house,  Eng- 
land. While  the  library  was  in  process  of  building,  the  catalogue 
which  had  received  much  careful  consideration  from  its  members,  was 
transmitted  to  London,  where  with  a few  alterations  by  Peter  Collinson, 
Esq.,  it  was,  immediately,  at  the  full  cost  of  £500  sterling,  purchased. 
In  1750,  it  had  arrived  and  was  placed  on  the  shelves  of  the  library,  and, 
was  generalh7  considered  b}r  American  scholars  as  the  finest  collection 
of  works  on  theolog}T,  history,  the  arts  and  sciences,  at  that  time  in  the 
American  colonies.  An  examination  of  the  statistics  of  American 
libraries,  shows,  that  the  Redwood  Library  stands  in  the  front  ranks, 
as  a colonial  library,  which,  from  the  first,  was  endowed  with  a charter 
of  incorporation,  possessed  of  an  appropriate  and  well-designed  library 
building,  and  furnished  with  books,  that  involved  the  expenditure  in 
London,  of  a larger  sum  of  money,  than,  had  at  anv  time  previously, 
been  transmitted  from  any  of  the  colonies,  for  that  purpose.  It  would 
be  interesting  to  give  here,  the  catalogue  of  the  English  and  classical 
works  which  were  deemed  at  that  time,  a complete  and  well-appointed 
librar}^ — did  space  permit  our  so  doiug.  The  names  of  the  liberal 
founders  of  the  Redwood  Library — a colonial  one,  at  an  early  period  of 
our  civilization,  should  at  least  be  preserved.* 

The  beneficial  influences  of  this  library  in  colonial  times,  must  have 
been  great.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Ezra  Stiles  has  acknowledged  his  indebted- 

* Abraham  Redwood,  Rev.  James  Honyman,  Edward  Scott,  Simon  Pease,  Thomas 
Moffatt,  M.  D.,  John  Brett,  M.  D.,  William  Paul,  John  Channing,  Jahleel  Brenton,  David 
Cheeseborough,  William  Vernon,  John  Brown,  Daniel  Updike,  Daniel  Ayrault,  Jr., 
Abraham  Borden,  Henry  Collins,  Joseph  Jacob,  Samuel  Rodman,  Samuel  Wickham, 
Thomas  Ward,  Josias  Lyndon,  Peter  Bours,  Charles  Wickham,  John  Easton,  Joseph 
Sylvester,  Thomas  Wickham,  John  Tillinghast,  Joseph  Harrison,  Clark  Rodman  M.  D., 
Rev.  William  Vinal,  Walter  Rodman,  M.  I).,  James  Honyman,  Jr.,  Samuel  Ward,  Rev. 
John  Callender,  John  Bennet,  Joseph  Scott,  Ebenezcr  Gray,  M.  D.,  Joseph  Phillips, 
Benjamin  Hazard,  Rev.  James  Searing,  Samuel  Vernon,  Benjamin  Wickham,  John 
Gardner,  Jonathan  Nichols,  Stephen  Wanton,  Patrick  Grant. 

November  4, 1647.  Gideon  Wanton,  Joseph  Wanton,  Joseph  Whipple,  Jr.,  William 
Ellery,  Walter  Chaloner,  Jonathan  Thurston,  Samuel  Holmes,  Godfrey  Malbone,  Jr., 
Charles  Bowler,  Gideon  Cornell,  Robert  Crooke,  John  Collins,  John  Dennis,  Abraham 
Hart,  Matthew  Robinson,  Wiiliam  Dunbar,  John  Chaloner,  John  Jepson. 


Newport. 


5 


ness  to  it  for  his  useful,  curious,  and  recondite  learning.  It  was  from 
this  library  that  he  furnished  himself  with  armor  for  the  great  and 
growing  contest  in  the  American  colonies.  The  late  Dr.  William  Ellerv 
Channing,  says  of  him.  “ To  the  influences  of  this  distinguished  man, 
in  the  circle  in  which  I was  brought  up,  I may  owe  in  part,  the  indigna- 
tion which  I feel  towards  every  invasion  of  human  rights.  Ir>  tmT 
earliest  j^ears  I regarded  no  one  with  equal  reverence.”  A similar 
auspicious  influence,  on  the  character,  intelligence  and  public  spirit  of 
the  town,  on  her  rising  statesmen,  her  liberal  merchants,  her  cultured 
scholars  and  her  able  law}’ers,  must  be  attributed  to  the  Redwood  library. 
It  should  likewise  be  recollected  that  it  attracted  many  of  our  literary 
men  in  the  English  colonies,  who  availed  themselves  of  its  treasures, 
while  enjoying  the  delights  of  our  climate.  From  the  Carolinas,  from 
the  West  Indies,  from  New  York  and  Boston,  they  came  here  as  to  a 
paradise  on  earth,  to  replenish  their  stock  of  health  and  their  stores  of 
knowledge,  ere  they  returned  to  their  native  climes.  “ The  library 
of  Rhode  Island  though  built  of  wood,”  says  a fellow  of  Trinity  College, 
Dublin,  who  passed  his  youth  at  Newport  before  the  revolution,  in  the 
“ still  air  of  delightful  studies,”  was  a structure  of  uncommon  beauty. 
I remember  it  with  admiration,  and  I could  once  appeal  to  the  known 
taste  of  an  old  school-fellow  (Stuart  the  painter)  who  had  the  same  feel- 
ing towards  it.” 

From  1778  to  1785  the  tumults  of  war  interrupted  the  meetings  of  the 
libraiy  company,  while  the  town  was  occupied  successively  by  the 
English,  the  American  and  the  French  forces. 

The  library  undoubtedly  suffered  some  losses  by  the  occasional 
purloining  of  books,  but  considering  its  exposed  position,  from  the  dis- 
persion and  occupation  of  its  natural  guardians,  it  was  remarkably 
preserved  from  injury  and  depredation.  But  at  the  close  of  the  war  it 
wras  discovered  that  many  of  the  books  were  missing  from  the  shelves, 
that  the  building  and  fences  had  fallen  into  decay ; that  in  consequence 
of  death  or  removal  from  the  State,  thirt}T-three  members  and  proprietors 
onl}r,  were  left  to  manage  the  affaiis  of  the  companj’,  and  to  carry  out 
the  generous  and  noble  intentions  of  its  founder  and  of  its  other  gener- 
ous benefactors.  With  a view  to  restore  the  institution,  an  able  com- 
mittee was  appointed  in  September,  1785,  to  apply  to  the  legislature  for 
a renewal  of  the  charter.  They  were  not  successful  till  October,  1790, 
when  the  charter  was  renewed,  and  still  farther  amended  in  Ma}T,  1791. 

In  September,  1806  it  was  resolved  to  apply  to  the  legislature  for  a 
lottery  to  raise  three  thousand  dollars,  and  for  the  admission  of  thirty 
new  members  on  paying  twenty-five  dollars  each  for  a share  in  the 


6 


Redwood  Library. 


libraiy.  On  the  13th  of  March,  1810,  the  company  adopted  a success- 
ful measure  for  the  revival  of  the  institution,  in  the  admission  of  so 
many  new  members,  on  the  payment  of  fifteen  dollars  each,  as  should 
carry  the  whole  number  of  proprietors  to  one  hundred.  This  number 
was  long  considered  as  fulfilling  Mr.  Redwood’s  ideal  of  a library  com- 
pany. In  October,  1810,  the  proprietors  appointed  a committee  con- 
sisting of  William  Hunter,  Benjamin  Hazard,  Edmund  Waring,  David 
King,  William  Marchant  and  John  L.  Boss,  Jr.,  to  prepare  an  address, 
and  to  present  the  same  to  the  public,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
donations  of  books  to  the  library.  This  direct  appeal  to  the  public 
contributed  to  revive  the  interest,  already  directed  towards  the  Library, 
and  to  encourage  the  spirit  of  liberality  now  re-awakened  b}T  the  example 
of  generous  and  high-minded  individuals. 

In  January',  1810,  James  Ogilvie,  Esq.,  a great  rhetorician  of  that 
day,  visited  the  town  and  delivered  several  lectures  on  the  advantages 
of  public  libraries,  which  contributed  essentially  to  awaken  the  public 
to  the  claims  to  the  Redwood  Library  on  their  generosit}^  and  support. 

In  1813  Solomon  Southwick,  Esq.,  of  Albany,  gave  to  the  library 
one  hundred  and  twentj’  acres  of  land  in  the  State  of  New  York,  for 
the  purpose  of  advancing  the  institution,  and  thereby  perpetuating  the 
memory  of  Henrj’  Collins,  Esq.,  one  of  its  principal  founders. 

In  1834  Abraham  Redwood,  Esq.,  of  Dorset  Place,  Marylebone, 
England,  being  desirous  of  promoting  the  institution  founded  by  his 
honored  grandfather,  gave  to  the  compan}r,  the  homestead  estate? 
situated  in  Newport  which  he  inherited  from  his  father  Jonas  L.  Red- 
wood, Esq.  Through  the  instrumentality  of  Robert  Johnston,  Esq., 
the  public  records  of  England,  as  far  as  then  published  consisting  of  84 
volumes,  viz. : 72  large  folios  and  12  octavos  were  presented  by  the 
British  government.  It  ts  to  be  regretted  that  the  volumes  subsequently 
published  have  not  been  obtained  by  the  libraiy. 

In  1837,  Baron  Hottinguer,  a distinguished  banker  of  Paris,  who  was 
connected  by  marriage  with  the  Redwood  family,  presented  to  the  com- 
pany^ 1,000  francs  for  the  restoration  of  the  building. 

In  1840  the  honorable  Christopher  G.  Champlin  bequeathed  to  the 
compan}’  100  dollars  and  some  valuable  books. 

In  1844,  the  library  company  received  from  Judah  Touro,  Esq.,  of 
New  Orleans,  (a  native  of  Newport),  the  gift  of  2,000  dollars,  which 
sum  according  to  the  wish  of  the  donor,  was  appropriated  to  the  repairs 
of  the  portico  of  the  building  and  to  the  laying  of  a sidewalk  in  East 
Touro  street  from  the  libraiy  building  to  the  corner  of  Ka}r  street.  Mr. 
Touro  at  his  death  in  1854,  left  a bequest  of  three  thousand  dollars  to 


Newpokt. 


7 


promote  the  interests  of  the  institution.  The  Centennial  Anniversary’ 
of  the  incorporation  of  the  Redwood  Library  company  was  celebrated 
August  24,  1847  b}1,  the  delivery  of  an  able  and  eloquent  discourse  by 
the  Hon.  William  Hunter,  and  by  an  appropriate  and  beautiful  poem  by 
the  Rev.  Charles  T.  Brooks. 

In  September,  1855,  it  was  resolved  to  promote  the  usefulness  of  the 
institution  by’  increasing  its  resources,  viz. : by  the  sale  of  four  hun- 
dred new  shares  at  twenty-live  dollars  a share  for  the  purpose  of  enlarg- 
ing the  libraiy  building,  increasing  the  number  of  books,  attaching  a 
reading  room  to  the  Library,  and  opening  it  daily  to  the  public.  A circu- 
lar was  prepared  by  Dr.  King,  the  president,  exhibiting  the  condition 
and  resources  of  the  institution  and  presenting  the  proposed  plan  for 
improving  the  Redwood  Library  and  Athenaeum,  and  the  terms  of 
admission  to  its  present  and  prospective  privileges. 

In  January,  1856,  the  charter  was  amended,  so  that,  the  company  were 
enabled  to  elect  from  the  members,  at  the  annual  meetings,  a president 
and  eleven  directors,  instead  of  jive  directors,  as  formerly.  In  1861,  an 
additional  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature,  authorizing  the  corporation, 
annuall}’,  to  elect  a vice-president,  and  not  exceeding,  eight  additional 
directors.  In  January,  1867,  an  act  was  adopted  by  the  legislature, 
allowing  the  Library^  company  to  issue  “ preferred  ” shares,  and  to 
increase  the  number  of  directors  to  twent3r-five.  It  yvas  not  till  Septem- 
ber, 1858,  that  the  whole  stock  of  new  shares  was  taken.  It  is  not 
more  than  just  to  mention  with  praise  the  zeal  and  energy  of  the  Hon. 
William  C.  Cozzens  and  on  this  occasion  the  liberality  of  subscriptions 
of  Messrs.  Charles  H.  Russell,  Edward  King,  William  S.  Wetmore, 
Sidne}r  Brooks  and  James  Lenox.  The  whole  subscription  was  highly 
creditable  to  all  the  proprietors  who  then  participated  in  increasing  the 
power  and  resources  of  the  institution.  With  these  funds,  the  directors 
proceeded  to  enlarge  the  building,  preserving  as  far  as  possible  the 
original  design  of  Mr.  Peter  Harrison,  the  first  architect.  By  the 
aid  of  Mr.  Snell,  of  Boston,  the  architect,  the}’  were  enabled  to  add  a 
principal  room,  fift}’  feet  long,  twenty-eight  feet  wide  and  nineteen  feet 
high,  lighted  b}T  six  windows  on  the  north,  and  south  facades  and  by  an 
octagonal  dome,  or  lantern  light,  the  whole  beautifully  frescoed,  supplied 
with  gas  lights  and  warmed  by  a furnace.  The  room  for  books  was  still 
further  increased  by  the  extension  of  the  original  wings  and  by  central 
openings  into  the  old  Library  room.  The  corporation  also  expended  in 
the  purchase  of  valuable  books  about  4,000  dollars  with  the  assistance 
of  Joseph  G.  Cogswell,  Esq.,  of  the  Astor  Library.  The}'  added  a 
gallery  of  paintings,  being  enabled  to  enrich  the  galley,  by  the  munifi- 


8 


Redwood  Library. 


cent  donation  of  Charles  B.  King,  Esq.,  a native  of  Newport  with 
upwards  of  200  valuable  paintings,  many  of  them  by  his  own  hand,  and 
some  b}r  other  distinguished  artists.  In  the  gallery  of  pictures  are  to 
to  be  found  paintings  given  by  David  Melville,  Miss  J.  Stuart,  Mrs. 
Catharine  Allen,  Usher  Parsons,  M.  D.,  Augustus  N.  Littlefield,  C.  H. 
Olmstead,  of  New  Haven,  Russell  Coggeshall,  George  C.  Mason, 
William  N.  Mercer,  M.  D.,  and  John  Purssord,  Esq.,  of  London.  The 
library  building  was  opened  to  the  public  in  July,  1859. 

In  the  winter  of  1859-60  an  inaugural  discourse  on  the  advan- 
tages of  public  libraries  was  delivered  b}’  the  Hon.  Geo.  G.  King,  presi- 
dent of  the  institution,  who  was  followed  b}"  various  gentlemen,  in  a 
course  of  free  lectures  instituted  at  that  period  by  the  directors. 

In  1860  was  presented  to  the  Libraiy  by  Sidney  Brooks,  Esq.,  a 
valuable  collection  of  French  books,  illustrative  of  art  and  militaiy  life, 
embracing  a donation  of  eight3r-one  volumes — 3 folios,  3 quartos  and 
75  octavos. 

A donation  was  presented  b}r  the  Hon.  David  Sears,  consisting  of 
seven  volumes  quarto  of  Plymouth  colony  records ; 6 volumes  quarto  of 
Massachusetts  records,  and  eighteen  volumes  octavo  of  Massachusetts 
Historical  Society  collection.  Also  b}T  James  Lenox,  Esq  , his  privately 
printed  copy  of  the  “Opusculum  de  Insulis  Nuper  lnventis  ” b}'  Nicolaus 
Lyllacius.  first  published  in  1494.  Also  was  presented  by  John  Purssord 
of  London,  a portrait  of  Abraham  Redwood,  the  grandson  of  the 
founder. 

In  August,  1862,  twenty  pictures  were  received  from  the  executor 
of  the  estate  of  Charles  B.  King,  Esq.,  in  addition  to  a donation  of 
forty-two  made  by  Mr.  King  the  year  before.  Also  a specific  donation 
of  the  Library  of  Charles  B.  King,  Esq.,  consisting  of  391  volumes  of 
books,  of  which  31  volumes  are  illustrated  works  ; 14  volumes  of  bound 
engravings  of  various  sizes  from  large  quarto  to  large  folio.  Also  three 
portfolios  of  unbound  engravings.  Also  Mr.  King  bequeathed  to  the 
Redwood  Library  one-quarter  of  the  residuary  portion  of  his  estate, 
real  and  personal. 

In  1864,  it  was  announced  by  the  President,  the  Hon.  George  G. 
King,  that  the  whole  sum  received  b}7  Library  from  the  late  Charles 
B.  King,  Esq.,  was  in  cash,  $8,913.70;  the  whole  sum  being  paid  in 
1863  and  1864.  And  that  in  addition  to  this  sum  must  be  added,  the 
estimated  value  of  books,  engravings  and  paintings — the  mere  inventory 
price  of  which  was  $2,000.  Among  the  donations  received  this  3’ear, 
were  two  hundred  and  nine  volumes  of  the  best  authors,  from  James 
Lenox,  Esq.,  some  of  these  are  rare  reprints  relating  to  the  early  history  of 


Newport. 


9 


our  country.  From  the  widow  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Waterhouse,  the  bequest 
of  the  portrait  of  her  late  husband  and  the  portrait  of  Gilbert  Stuart  the 
artist,  both  by  Stuart,  were  received. 

In  April,  18G5,  Dr.  William  I.  Walker,  a temporary  resident  of  New- 
port, left  the  generous  bequest  of  ten  thousand  dollars  to  the  library. 
This  year  the  Clarke  estate  was  purchased  for  the  sum  of  fifteen  thousand 
dollars,  toward  the  purchase  of  which  the  libraiy  received  $500—  the 
generous  gift  of  Alfred  Smith,  Esq. 

In  1867,  cork  models  of  the  coliseum,  models  of  the  fragments  of  two 
Roman  temples,  and  a model  of  the  arch  of  Constantine,  all  from  the 
estate  of  Miss  Sarah  Gibbs,  were  presented  through  the  instrumentality 
of  Hon.  W.  C.  Gibbs,  administrator. 

Iu  1868,  Mr.  Charles  H.  Russell  and  Mr.  H.  Hoppin,  presented  plans 
for  the  enlargement  of  the  Libraiy  edifice,  as  devised  by  Mr.  R.  II. 
Hunt.  In  1869,  Dr.  David  King,  in  behalf  of  Miss  Elizabeth  F. 
Thomas  and  other  descendants  of  Peter  Harrison,  Esq.,  the  first  archi- 
tect of  the  Redwood  Libraiy,  presented  the  portraits  of  Mr.  Harrison 
and  his  wife. 

In  1863,  Mr.  Edward  King  had  offered  his  valuable  collection  of  statuary 
to  the  Library,  on  condition  that  a suitable  place  should  be  provided  for 
it.  This  year,  he  consented  to  place  the  statuary  in  the  Libraiy  build- 
ing ; hoping  that  more  room  would  be  given  when  the  building  should 
be  enlarged.  The  subjects  are  copies  in  marble  from  the  antique,  of  the 
**  Dying  Gladiator,”  and  the  busts  of  the  “ Venus  of  Milo,”  “ Ariadne,” 
“ Demosthenes,”  “ Cicero,”  and  the  “ Young  Marcellus,” — all  being  the 
work  of  Paul  Akers  ; also  an  original  work  by  James  Mozier,  the  “ Ameri- 
can School-bov.”  The  president  and  eighteen  members  raised  at  this 
time,  $1,600  to  pa}r  off  a debt  of  the  institution. 

Hon.  George  G.  King,  the  president,  at  his  death,  Jul\T  17,  1870, 
left  the  Society  a bequest  of  one  thousand  dollars,  to  constitute  a part 
of  the  permanent  fund  for  the  purchase  of  books.  In  December,  1869, 
through  Henry  Ledyard,  Esq.,  the  Libraiy  received  two  noble  offers 
from  George  W.  Gibbs,  Esq.  ; first,  that  if  the  Directors  would  raise  by 
subscription  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars  for  the  purchase  of  books, 
he  would  subscribe  five  hundred  dollars  more.  Whereupon  in  the  course 
of  1870,  twenty-five  individuals  subscribed  nine  hundred  and  fifty  dollars, 
which,  added  to  Mr.  Gibbs’  five  hundred  made,  a fund  of  $1,450  for  the 
purchase  of  books.  The  second  proposition  was,  that  if  the  Library 
would  raise  by  subscription  ten  thousand  dollars  for  enlarging  the  build- 
ing, he  would  contribute  an  additional  ten  thousand  dollars. 

2 


10 


Redwood  Library. 


In  1871,  the  Library  received  a benefaction  from  Mrs.  Maria  D’Wolf 
Rogers,  consisting  of  three  thousand  dollars’  worth  of  rare  and  valuable 
books,  and  a special  fund  of  one  thousand  dollars,  the  income  to  be  used 
only  for  the  purchase  of  books.  The  benefaction  is  to  be  perpetually  held 
as  a memorial  of  the  late  Robert  Rogers,  Esq.,  of  Bristol.  It  was  an- 
nounced that  Edward  King,  Esq.,  the  executor  of  the  late  Hon.  George 
G.  King,  had  paid  over  the  legacy  in  full,  and  that  it  had  been  invested 
in  the  savings  bank  as  the  nucleus  of  a book  fund.  Twenty-eight  shares 
had  been  converted  into  SI 00  shares,  the  holders  surrendering  the  $25- 
shares,  and  paying  in  cash,  $75  each,  and  four  shares  were  taken  by  new 
parties,  at  $100  each.  Seven  of  the  “ preferred  ” shares  had  been  taken 
in  the  previous  years. 

During  the  year  1872,  two  special  shares  were  taken  at  $100  each, 
and  fourteen  were  taken  b}*  original  shareholders,  on  the  payment  of' 
seventy-five  dollars  and  a surrender  of  a present  twenty-five  dollar  share,, 
thus  making  the  special  share  fund  on  deposit  in  the  savings  bank 
$4,075.  The  Gibbs  building  fund  was  made  up  this  year,  and  placed 
in  the  Trust  Company  on  deposit,  the  whole  sum  being  $20,025.  Wil- 
liam Sanford  Rogers,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  a native  of  Newport,  left  a bequest 
of  four  thousand  dollars,  the  income  to  be  applied  to  the  purchase  of 
books. 

In  1874,  a generous  bequest  of  $5,000  was  left  to  the  library  by  John 
Carter  Brown,  Esq.,  as  a librar}^  fund.  The  library  company  adopted 
this  year  a plan  presented  by  George  C.  Mason,  architect  for  the  en- 
largement of  the  building.  The}T  appointed  C.  II.  Russell,  Sidney  Brooks, 
and  John  T.  Bush,  Esqs.,  the  "building  committee  to  superintend  the 
erection  of  the  new  structure.  The  master  builders,  Perry  G.  Case  & 
Co.,  contracted  to  have  the  new  building  constructed  of  stone  and 
brick,  and  to  have  it  completed  by  December  1,  1875,  according  to  the 
plans  and  specifications,  for  which  purpose  $25,000  were  appropriated. 

In  1875,  Mrs.  Lucy  K.  Tuckerman  presented  to  the  Librarj*  the 
works  of  the  late  Henry  T.  Tuckerman,  Esq.,  also  a framed  photograph 
of  Mr.  Tuckerman.  Ttiese  volumes,  enclosed  in  a casket  of  ebon}r  and 
cedar,  will  be  perpetually  preserved  in  the  library  in  memory  of  that 
accomplished  scholar  and  good  man.  During  this  year,  the  society 
seem  to  have  been  saddened  and  appalled  by  the  frequent  demise  of 
man}r  of  their  prominent  friends  ; among  whom  were  John  Carter  Brown, 
Robert  H.  Ives  and  Edward  King. 

From  1861  to  1875,  inclusive,  the  additions  to  the  Library  have  been 
constant  and  numerous,  ranging  each  }Tear  from  four  hundred  to  fifteen 
hundred  volumes,  besides  many  pamphlets.  During  these  fifteen  }'ears 


Newport. 


11 


the  total  acquisitions  have  been  nearly  twelve  thousand  volumes,  for  the 
larger  portion  of  which,  by  far,  the  Library  stands  indebted  to  generous 
donors,  prominent  among  whom  are  Messrs.  Robert  H.  Ives,  James  T. 
Rhodes,  George  A.  Hammett,  David  Sears,  Sidney  Brooks,  James 
Lenox,  Henry  Ledyard,  J.  Carter  Brown,  R.  C.  Winthrop,  George  Cal- 
vert, J.  R.  Bartlett,  William  Hunter,  E.  D.  Morgan,  H.  B.  Anthony  and 
T.  A.  Jenckes. 

During  these  years,  also,  valuable  and  interesting  additions  have  been 
made  to  the  art  treasures  of  the  Library,  including  statuary,  paintings 
and  engravings.  The  paintings  are  mostly  portraits  of  persons  having 
either  a local  or  national  fame,  thus  rendering  the  gallery  one  of  rich 
historical  interest. 

In  the  earl}7  part  of  the  year  1876,  the  new  structure  of  stone  and 
brick  was  completed.  It  furnishes  an  admirable  room  for  library  and 
gallery  purposes,  36  feet  wide,  by  48  feet  long,  and  thirty’  feet  high  ; and 
a room  on  the  south,  17  feet  by  22  feet,  for  the  use  of  the  directors.  Thus 
ample  room  is  supplied  for  pictures,  statuary,  and  library  purposes  for 
many  years  to  come.  The  whole  structure  may  be  considered  as  classi- 
cal and  ornate  ; and  though  planned  by  three  successive  artists,  has  been 
made  to  conform  as  much  as  possible  to  the  design  of  the  original  archi- 
tect. The  library  company  has  expended  $31,696.03,  to  which  sum 
must  be  added  the  subsequent  expenses  of  re-arranging  the  gallery  and 
library,  of  repairing  the  fences  and  of  ornamenting  the  grounds,  and 
now  offers  to  the  public  admirable  galleries  of  painting  and  sculpture  ; and 
a library  of  twenty-one  thousand  volumes,  many  of  them  costly  works, 
and  the  rare  acquisitions  of  generations  of  growth. 

We  have  traced  in  few  and  brief  words,  the  career  of  one  of  the  oldest 
institutions  in  the  country.  The  liberality  of  individuals  has  sustained 
it  through  periods  of  adversity  and  prosperity,  through  changes  in  politi- 
cal and  social  life,  and  vicissitudes  in  the  fortune  and  character  of  indi- 
viduals and  families.  From  the  beginning  to  the  present  time,  the  Red- 
wood Library,  always  from  the  first,  highly  respectable  in  the  public  eye, 
has  gradually  increased  in  true  power  and  in  growing  adaptation  to  the  " 
wants  and  necessities  of  the  community.  It  is  now  placed  on  a firm 
foundation,  with  ample  means  of  progressive  improvement.  It  sprung 
at  first  almost  full  armed,  from  a period  of  great  commercial  prosper’d}'. 

It  is  associated  with  our  first  attempts  in  America  at  culture  and  schol- 
arship, with  early  recollections  of  learning  and  piety,  and  with  splendid 
memories  that  may  never  die.  Whatever  may  be  its  position  and  re- 
sources in  the  future,  it  can  never  forget  the  debt  it  owes  to  the  thought- 


U.  Qi-  ILL  LIB. 


12 


Redwood  Library. 


fulness,  the  learning  and  the  intelligence  of  the  past.  We  conclude  with 
a list  of  the  presidents  from  1747  to  187G  : 


Abraliam  lied  wood, 
Henry  Ma  reliant, 
William  Vernon, 
John  Bours, 
Jonathan  Easton, 
ltobert  Stevens, 
David  King, 

Audley  Clarke, 
George  G.  King, 
William  Hunter, 
David  King, 

George  G.  King, 
William  C Cozzens. 
Henry  Ledyard, 
Edward  King, 
Erancis  Brinley, 


from  1747  to  1788. 
“ 1701  to  1700. 

“ 1706  to  1801. 

“ 1801  to  1800. 

“ ia00  to  1813. 
“ 1813  to  1830. 

“ 1830  to  1830. 

“ 1836  to  1844. 

“ 1844  to  1846. 

“ 1846  to  1840. 

“ 1840  to  1850. 

“ 1850  to  1870. 

“ 1870  to  1872. 

“ 1872  to  1874. 

“ 1874  to  1875. 

“ 1875  to  1876. 


King,  David 


An  historical  sketch  of  the 
Redwood  Library  and  Athenaeum  in 
Newoort,  Rhode  Island.  Providence, 
1876. 


/ f 7 r 

<*  Si  tr  s*  S*  < a 


Co 

J P sXjL-Jt  a_  at  L U , 


z»/t  * ^ ^ ■ 


0) 


3 0112  105386483 


